Kris Jenkins has grown into being one of the best players on a Villanova team that will be playing for the national championship on Monday night.

But Jenkins may not be on the Villanova roster right now preparing for a national championship game without his brother, who he will be playing against on Monday, Nate Britt.

The story of the brotherhood of Jenkins and Britt gained national attention when Jenkins was spotted cheering for UNC in the Elite Eight after Villanova had already advanced to the Final Four.

While the two are not brothers by blood, Britt’s parents have been Jenkins legal guardians since 2007.

“We were recruiting Nate,” Villanova head coach Jay Wright said describing the unique recruiting process that led to the Wildcats landing Jenkins. “And we liked Kris. But we just thought, you know what, he’s overweight, and he’s not going to come in and do all the stuff we do.”

Wright said that he told Jenkins that he liked his game, but things would not be easy for him if he came to Villanova.

“You’re going to have to come in here and change your diet; you’re going to have to work out hard; you’re going to have to get your body fat tested,” Wright recalled telling Jenkins. “That’s what we want you do.”

Wright said that Nate Britt Sr. later told the coaching staff that Jenkins loved what he heard in that meeting.

“And we said, to each other, ‘Hey, if he loved that, we want this guy,’” Wright remembered telling other members of the coaching staff.

Wright added that it has been impressive to watch Jenkins develop.

“He came in from day one and as a college freshman had to watch what he ate, had to get tested every morning, had to ride a bike extra to get his weight down. It’s unbelievable. And he continues to get better and better. I think you haven’t even seen the best of him yet.”

Jenkins and Britt played together in high school and have not met during their collegiate careers.

On Monday night, they will meet on the biggest of stages.

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